Cheap Eats 2011: Foster Burger

The meaty offspring of Andy Ricker (Pok Pok, Ping), Daniel Mondok (Sel
Gris) and Kurt Huffman (developer of Whiskey Soda Lounge, Ping, Grüner
and St. Jack) isn’t a “concept restaurant” or a cheeky riff on the
American diner. It’s just a straight-up burger joint—thank God—with a
’90s Portland theme that shows up everywhere from the walls papered with
Satyricon and La Luna posters to the Weezer and Pixies tunes on the
stereo. All their messy-wonderful eats ($8-$11 or so) start with a
foundation of soft housemade brioche buns, excellent housemade pickles
($2.50-$5, stock up with a jar from the fridge near the bar) and a side
of crisp, skin-on fries. From there, get a bit spicy with the Burner
burger ($10), packed with mellow roasted jalapeños, crunchy little onion
straws and both American and cheddar cheese all drizzled with sriracha,
or go Kiwi with pickled beets and a fried egg ($11). There are
microbrews and booze on hand, but man, does Foster Burger make a great
chocolate milkshake. If I lived in the neighborhood, my butt would never
leave its wooden booths.